The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-20
The Clergyman's Ghost

20 hlm, but half dozen of his predeces-
sons had occupied the house, which was
pretty in itself, and prettily situated
sIeid shrubbery and trees. The place
@as a smart town in northern Michigan.
The pastor and his wife were entertain
Ing FOR a day three of Mr.. Starkeye's
classmates at college. These gentlemen
camc up from Oaio for duck shooting on
shc Lake Huron shore, and had stopped
Eoz visit to their old school, fellow in
his new location.
After dinner visitors aud hosts were
sitting in the cozy parlor while the
shades of night deepencd. The talk
was lively, and all were in the best of
spirits, when one of the visitors sudden
y exclaimed:
"tWhat's that2"
Of course everybody looked at every
BODY else, and the visitors saw in Mrs.
ssarkeye's face an expression of annoy
xDce almost amounting to distress.
It was John Trennam who made the
exclamation. His comrades, Jack
0uccman and Henry Kctlow, demanded
n one breath:
'sWhat is it, Johnl"
!'What's the matter, old fellow"
Trennam exclaimed: "Why, that
VOICE. Didn't you hear it, Starkeyca A
usatflcd sound like the There it is
again d. you hear.thatF
Every one had heard it this time. A
unified voice, truly; but the words were
saainly heard:
"Oh-h-h-h-h!-Don'tp
a long dwell upon the first word. in a
scst of crcsccndo wall; then an instant's
sanse, and the second word came, short
ena sharp, but in louder tone:
'1Oh-h-h-h-h!-Don't"
A woman's voice, evidently. So it
:sec.ned to all the listeners.
Mrs. Starkeyc was the first to speak.
A.Is has como, Doyce," she said to her
aasband, and the mlnner, not less than
sNa words, told that the wailing voice
uas not news to them, but was dreaded
3y her, at least.
t.Starkeye," cried Duceman, spring
ssg to his feet, with your permission
We'll lay this ghost for you. I see how
r Raust bother you. Do you give us
sraTe? All! that's right. Come, boys,
aess get to the bottom of it. A parson
-un't go ghost-hunting, but we can."
& was arranged that Trenman should
secp watch at the west window of the
ps1lor. Duceman was to stcalthily sta
tua himself at the west end of the front
P0sch. and Ketlow went to the second
dbos room above the parior. A little
cod headed watching, they thought,
spaid discover something in no very
Sng time. They were to remain at their
gSsts for m hour, if nothing was found
eaa meanwhile, and then reassemble in
9nc parlors to consider further steps.
The night was not dark, but it was
Miacult to see much around the LEAKAGE
surrounding the parsonage. A soughing,
westerly wind came titfully through the
sIss. The friends took their stations
xaa half an hour went by, while at in
ssgIals the wailing voice was heard.
HsTond all question it was somewhere
dhoat the west end of the house. But
xtere? Now it sounded to Duceman on
ths porch as if it were just above his
hco7, but the next time it was heard it
seemed 10 come from the top of silver
isnied poplar that stood close to the west
end OF the house. Duccman pccred
Hoand toward the poplar, and in his
.agrrncss stepped off the porch among
al,e shrubbcry.
AUh-h-h-h-h! Don'tw
Almost directly above his head, Duce-
ENID thought. He was sure it was in
the poplar tree. He crept slowly until
&c stood under the poplar, and then
Eaoking intently through the bran chessaw
. Dark form outlined against the sky-a
Scrm upon the peak Of the roof and not
In st,c tree. Duccmau was both clated
anl Indignant at his discovery.
~ hate practical jokes and jokers-
especially such stupid ones as this" and
ne muttered as he stole quickly and
cx,iesly back to the porch into the house.
Al9l give that fellow lesson he won't
sssyet," said Duceman to himself as he
srcurcd his ducking gun, and then paid
ahasty visit to Mrs. Starkeye's kitchen.
h Is minute more Duccman, gun in
hopd, was stealing softly around the
srst end of the house again. There sat
s,e fellow on the roof, dimly seen against